All About Constipation: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Constipation

Constipation occurs when bowel movements become infrequent and difficult. The most common causes are diet and lifestyle changes, or a lack of fiber intake. Call your doctor if severe pain, bloody stools, or constipation lasts longer than her 3 weeks.

What Is Constipation?

Technically, constipation is defined as having less than 3 bowel movements per week. However, the frequency of "walking" varies greatly from person to person. Some people have multiple bowel movements per day, while others only have one or two bowel movements per week. Whatever your gut pattern is, as long as it doesn't stray too far from your pattern, it's unique and normal for you. Regardless of bowel movements, one fact is certain.

The longer you walk before "walking," the harder it is for stool/feces to pass. Other key features that usually define constipation are:

• Your stool is dry and hard.

• Defecation is painful and difficult.

• I feel like I haven't completely emptied my bowels.

How It Happened: Constipation?

Constipation occurs because the colon absorbs too much water from waste products (stool/feces), making the stool dry, hard, and difficult to push out of the body.

As food normally travels through the digestive tract, nutrients are absorbed. The remaining partially digested food (waste) moves from the small intestine to the large intestine, also called the large intestine. The large intestine absorbs water from this waste product and forms a solid substance called stool. In constipation, food may move too slowly through the digestive tract. This gives the colon too much time to absorb water from waste products. The stool becomes dry and hard, making it difficult to expel.

How Common Constipation Is?

You are not the only one with constipation. Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal upsets in the United States and other parts of Africa (Nigeria). 

Everyone, regardless of age, suffers from constipation. There are certain people and situations that make constipation more persistent (“chronic constipation”). These include:

• Old Age. Older people tend to be less active than when they were younger, with slower metabolisms and less force to contract muscles along the digestive tract.

• Being a woman, especially during pregnancy and after childbirth. Changes in female hormones can make you more prone to constipation. A baby in the womb crushes the intestines, slowing down bowel movements.

• Not eating foods that are high in Fiber. High-fiber foods help food move through the digestive system.

• Taking certain medications (see Causes).

• Certain neurological disorders (brain and spinal cord disorders) and digestive disorders (see Causes).

Causes of Constipation

Constipation can have many causes, including lifestyle, medications, medical conditions, and pregnancy.

Common causes of constipation are:

• Eat low-fiber foods.

• Not drinking enough water (dehydration).

• Lack of exercise. Regular routine changes, such as different times of travel, meals, and bedtime.

• Eat lots of milk and cheese.

• Emphasis.

• resist the urge to defecate

What are the symptoms of constipation?

Symptoms of constipation include:

You have less than 3 bowel movements per week.

The stool is dry, hard, or lumpy.

Having a difficult or painful bowel movement.

I have abdominal pain and cramps. I feel bloated and nauseous.

After exercise, I feel like I haven't completely emptied my bowels.

Complications Of Constipation

Complications of chronic constipation include:

• Swollen anal veins (hemorrhoids). The veins in and around the anus may swell when straining to defecate.

• A tear in the skin of the anus (anal fissure). Large or hard stools can cause small tears in the anus.

• An impassable bowel movement (fecal blockage). Chronic constipation can lead to the accumulation of hard stools that get stuck in the intestines.

• Bowel sticking out of the anus (rectal prolapse). A small portion of the rectum may stretch and protrude through the anus when strained to defecate.

Risk factor

Factors that may increase the risk of chronic constipation include:

• When being a senior adult

• When being a woman

• dehydrated

• eat a low fiber diet

• Little or no physical activity

• Taking certain drugs, such as tranquilizers, opioid pain relievers, some antidepressants, and blood pressure lowering drugs

• Have a mental illness, such as depression or an eating disorder.

What Should I Eat And Drink If I Am Constipated?

Get enough fiber. Drink lots of water to make the fiber work better.

Fiber

Depending on age and gender, an adult he should consume 22-34 grams of dietary fiber per day.

Please consult a medical professional. B. A dietician planning a diet with the right amount of fiber External link. Gradually add fiber to your diet as your body adjusts to the changes.

A Good Source Of Fiber 

Whole grains such as: 

• wholemeal bread

• rolled oats

• brand cereal

Legumes such as: 

• lentils 

• black beans

• kidney beans

• soybeans, and chickpeas

Fruits such as: 

• berries

• peeled apples

• oranges and pears

Vegetables such as: 

• carrots

• broccoli

• green peas and collards

Nuts such as: 

• almonds

• peanuts, and pecans

Lots Of Water

You Should Drink Liquids Such As: 

• water

• naturally sweetened fruit and vegetable juices

• clear soups to make the fiber work better. 

This change makes stools softer and easier to pass.

Drinking plenty of water and other liquids is also a great way to avoid dehydration. Staying hydrated is good for your overall health and helps avoid constipation. Ask your dietitian how much fluid you should drink each day based on your size, medical condition, activity level, and where you live.

Foods to avoid with constipation

High-fat foods -- oils, butter, and foods rich in fat -- can contribute to constipation.

If you suffer from chronic constipation, it may be due to excessive consumption of fried foods, processed meats, commercial baked goods, and other high-fat products. I am listing.

“Really high-fat foods slow down digestion,” she says. Also, most high-fat foods are low in fiber, which slows mobility. "

Is Exercise Good For Constipation?

"Of course, says Mr. Slattery. "Physical activity is essential. Even if you're constipated or bloated and don't feel like exercising, physical activity can help relieve stress in your gut."

Nigerian Constipation Recipe

Here are some Nigerian recipes that can help with constipation.

Okazi Soup:

Okazi, also known as Uziza, is a leafy green vegetable that is high in fiber and helps relieve constipation.To prepare Okazi his soup, you will need:

• 2 cups chopped Okazi leaves

• 1 cup sliced ​​egusi (melon) seeds

• 2 tablespoons of minced crawfish

• 2 tbsp red palm oil

• 1 chopped onion

Procedure

salt and pepper to taste

For the soup, heat palm oil in a pan and add chopped onions. Stir-fry the onion until it becomes tender, then add the eggplant and crayfish and mix. Add enough water to cover the okazi leaves and ingredients. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper before eating.

Ewedu Soup:

Ewedu is another leafy green vegetable that is high in fiber and may help relieve constipation. To prepare Ewedu soup you will need:

• 2 cups Ewedu leaves

• 1 cup beef or goat

• 2 tablespoons of minced crawfish

• 2 tbsp red palm oil

• 1 chopped onion

Procedure

salt and pepper to taste

For the soup, heat palm oil in a pot and add chopped onions. Sauté the onions until soft, then add the beef or goat and crawfish and stir. Add enough water to cover the yedu leaves and ingredients. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper before eating.

Plantain porridge:

Plantain is an excellent source of dietary fiber and helps relieve constipation. For plantain mash you will need:

• 2 ripe plantains

• 1 cup water

• 1 cup milk

• 1 tablespoon sugar (optional)

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

Procedure

For porridge, peel the plantain and cut into small pieces. Place the plantain fillets in a pot with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until plantains are tender and mushy. Add milk, sugar and cinnamon (if available) and mix. Enjoy your meal while it's warm.

I hope you find these recipes helpful. If you have any questions, please let us know.